SRSI announces integrator relationship with DEMATIC
SRSI (Slate River Systems, Inc.) and Dematic signed an integrator relationship agreement. SRSI will now be a certified integrator of all Dematic equipment. SRSI is known for its strong customer relationships and quality of work, and with the experience of industry experts at Dematic, looks to further grow its offerings. “We are very excited to be working with Dematic’s team,” Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jovan Bjelobrk states. “This relationship will allow us to offer their wide variety of products to SRSI customers which widens our solution base even further.” Dematic designs, builds, and supports intelligent automated solutions empowering and sustaining the future of commerce for its customers in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. “At Dematic, we want to work with integrators that have a similar drive for innovation, unparalleled customer service, and a sound strategy that contributes to Dematic’s continued growth. We look forward to working with SRSI and their customers,” said Scott Hinke, Director of Integrator Network Sales, Americas, Dematic.
EP 279: OPEX at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined by Monty McVaugh of OPEX Corporation at MODEX 2022. OPEX is a family-owned automation company based in my home state of New Jersey that continuously brings cutting-edge technology to our industry. We discuss the benefits of OPEX being a family-owned business, how OPEX has been able to continually innovate since its founding in 1973, and their new Infinity ASRS. Key Takeaways OPEX has been around since 1973 and is a family-owned company. Monty is quick to point out that the family is still very much involved in the day-to-day business which has a meaningful impact on the way they do business. They have a very open culture of being able to share ideas for innovation which Monty credits for their ability to stay on top of the latest technology in the warehousing automation space. The President is very engaged in the conversation around ideas drawing from both their experiences and the employee’s feedback. The big unveiling for OPEX at MODEX was the Infinity ASRS system. This is an evolution of their Perfect Pick product after listening to customer feedback and helping to improve upon some of their pain points. One of the most interesting things about the Infinity system is that Monty points out the ability to be flexible and more modular. What caught my attention the most was that the height can go as low as 9 feet. This grabbed my attention because often when we are looking to maximize space in our industry we want to go higher. Monty shares some examples where space above docks or other areas can be utilized by implementing the Infinity in these shorter height areas. With this flexibility, we are able to rethink the space that we are using. While we typically look to make our racking higher or how high a tower can go in this case we can look at small spaces and be able to utilize them. Monty gives some great examples and he also shares how different regions of the globe do not have the same monstrous newer warehouse spaces that we are seeing in America right now. Creating a flexible solution like Infinity certainly gives you an infinite amount of utilization options. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 279: OPEX at MODEX 2022
EP 278: Signode at MODEX 2022
On this episode, I was joined by Mike Stein of Signode at MODEX 2022. I first spoke to Signode at ProMat 2019 when they had multiple solutions available to the market but they have since evolved to become an integrator as well as a solution provider. We discuss how that evolution came about and the importance of being able to provide end-to-end solutions for customers. Key Takeaways Signode is focused on making sure that your products are getting packaged and out the door in the most efficient and optimized way possible. Originally they had started out focusing on packaging and different components of packaging which we have spoken about here on the podcast but they have been able to evolve in the marketplace as an integrator as well. They recognized the fact that they were providing components that were helping operations become more efficient but had multiple requests for end-to-end solutions which they decided to take on themselves. As an integrator, they are now able to take your operation towards automation from end to end from automated wrappers to ASRS build-outs. Mike and I discuss the importance of being able to provide end-to-end solutions and how that can be beneficial to the customer. Having this option for the customer allows them to move faster and smoother. Working with multiple different companies can result in disconnects between systems and products which may result in frustration and ultimately long-term issues. By getting end-to-end solutions from one provider, a company can know that they are going to be on the same page and that the integration of different components will run smoothly. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 278: Signode at MODEX 2022
Asda extends long-term partnership with Vanderlande
One of the UK’s leading supermarket chains, Asda, has renewed its site-based, life-cycle services contract with Vanderlande for the next five years, further cementing the partnership. The extension of the existing agreement will see the two companies continue to collaborate at the retailer’s Warrington distribution center (DC) in the UK until 2026. The Warrington DC is Asda’s automated ambient warehouse in their distribution network – with the highest picking accuracy, consistently leading in terms of the Overall Warehouse Rate (OWR). The efficiency of this site has been improved by Vanderlande’s future-proof automated case picking (ACP) solution and the dedication of colleagues in the operational and support teams responsible for overall system performance and maintenance activities, 24 hours a day. Vanderlande’s ACP solution handles an average of two million cases per week, processing nearly 9,000 SKUs, and helping Asda supply stores across northwest England. “Through our partnership with Vanderlande we’ve been able to drive efficiency that has contributed to an overall increase in volume since 2018. Our relationship with Vanderlande has gone from strength to strength and is helping us to achieve our strategic vision – to serve our customers better than anyone else,” said Jon Parry, Vice President of Asda Logistics Services. “We’re proud about our ongoing partnership and dedication, and we share a combined vision of continuous improvement and synergy in operational and services requirements,” adds Terry Verkuijlen, Vice President Warehouse Solutions at Vanderlande. “Asda is seeing great results, every day, thanks to the motivated individuals in our high-performing teams. Everyone at Vanderlande is delighted that this continued trust has been rewarded by a five-year contract extension.”
Columbia PSI, LLC. continues to invest and grow its Denver operations with Control Design and Manufacturing acquisition
Rick Goode, Chairman and CEO of Columbia Machine Inc., announced the acquisition of Control Design & Manufacturing (CD&M) assets on March 31, 2022. Located in Englewood, CO, CD&M is a recognized leader in factory automation solutions, designing, manufacturing, and supporting conventional bag palletizing systems, bag handling equipment, box forming and filling solutions, and controls. CD&M will become part of Columbia PSI, LLC and all employees have been hired, allowing the business to carry on without missing a day of operation or sacrificing customer commitment. Columbia PSI, LLC. will join its extensive bagging product lines with CD&M’s wide range of equipment solutions. The addition of the CD&M palletizing solutions, accessory conveyors, controls, box forming equipment, and years of experience will further grow Columbia PSI as an innovative, industry leader. “Adding Control Design & Manufacturing to Columbia PSI, LLC. is a great opportunity to expand our bagging solutions and allows us to grow our Denver-based team. We have a long-term strategy for our Denver operation and CD&M builds on that vision. In addition, the CD&M employees bring valuable experience and product knowledge,” said Tim Goode, General Manager of PSI, A Columbia Machine, Inc. Company. “CD&M offers new equipment to Columbia PSI, opens new markets, and broadens our potential customer base. Columbia PSI plans to continue the same exceptional service and support that CD&M has been known for over the last 30 years of business and is excited to carry on the company and its employees as we integrate the two companies.” “As I look to retire, I wanted to ensure that CD&M would continue to supply reliable equipment and offer the same customer support that our customers are used to receiving for the last 30 years,” said Dale Kintgen, President/Owner of Control Design & Manufacturing. “Columbia PSI will carry on that vision while keeping the business in Denver and providing ongoing employment opportunities for my staff. I wish I were 20 years younger so I could be part of what the future holds.” “It has been great to get to know Dale and his company over the last nine months. CD&M has been a very head down, highly technical, customer-focused company since its inception. The more we have been exposed to the extensive list of factory automation solutions they have designed, manufactured, integrated, installed, and supported over the years, the more impressed we have become.” said Rick Goode. “We are excited to integrate the CD&M Team into Columbia PSI, our Bagging and Packaging Business Unit, and look forward to offering CD&M solutions to our customers in over 100 countries around the world.” The acquisition of CD&M continues Columbia PSI’s strategic vision to grow its bagging product line and offer industry-leading factory automation solutions. Columbia PSI will operate CD&M out of the existing location at 2624 S. Zuni St., Englewood, CO 80110 until the facilities upgrades are complete at the Columbia PSI headquarters. Merging the two companies in the Denver, CO area gives Columbia PSI increased manufacturing capabilities and additional space dedicated to bagging and packaging equipment. Expanding our Denver facility complements Columbia’s other North American manufacturing, service, and parts centers in Vancouver, WA, Ontario, CA, Orlando, FL, Smithsburg, MA, and Mississauga, Canada.
EP 273: Phantom Auto wins at MODEX 2022
In this episode, I was joined again by Ryan Clifford and Ryan Chesterfield of Phantom Auto at MODEX 2022. Phantom Auto provides a remote forklift operation platform that allows you to tap into labor pools in any location to operate your equipment. We discuss the reaction to Phantom Auto at MODEX, their nomination, and a follow-up on their win at the MHI Innovation Awards. Key Takeaways While most companies were looking for solutions to replace or supplement labor at MODEX, Phantom Auto’s approach is different. They are looking to put available labor in different areas to work for you. Phantom Auto accomplishes this by creating a remote forklift operation platform. You can be anywhere in the world and operate a forklift from a computer setup in real-time. This means that if there is available labor in Arkansas but your operation is in Oregon you can still use these operators to remotely operate the equipment in your facility. Both Ryan’s shared with me some of the questions and challenges that customers were inquiring about at MODEX which included safety, union issues, and providing the labor. When it comes to safety, they explain that the platform can react in real-time which is key to preventing any accidents and the operators have full visibility of their surroundings with mounted cameras on the equipment. In regards to union issues, they explain that this is actually helping current forklift operators and helping to up-skill them with learning how to utilize the software and give them more flexibility in the jobs that they can take due to being remote. During our initial conversation at MODEX, Phantom Auto was nominated for the MHI Innovation Award which was announced just a few hours after our discussion so I had Ryan Clifford back to discuss what it meant for them to win that award. You can listen to this at the end of the episode and hear their reaction. For the future of Phantom Auto, they are looking to expand on the types of equipment they can utilize through their platform and they are in the process of setting up on-demand forklift operators that you can hire remotely as temps through Phantom. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 273: Phantom Auto Wins at MODEX 2022
Seegrid AMRs transform material handling for Sumitomo Drive Technologies
AMR provider delivers reliable material flow with rapid ROI for automotive component manufacturer’s expanding facilities Seegrid Corporation, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, announced that Sumitomo Drive Technologies has selected Seegrid’s mobile automation solutions for its expanding manufacturing operations. The power transmission component manufacturer chose Seegrid’s Palion™ AMR fleet and Fleet Central™ enterprise software to support the autonomous hauling of parts and equipment between its existing 250,000 assembly facility and its new 100,000 square foot warehouse. Seegrid’s customer portfolio of global brands in logistics, e-commerce, and manufacturing utilizes the company’s automation products and services to propel corporate initiatives, reduce lean waste, and build operational resiliency. “Reliability is a critical factor in getting parts to the line—the initial Seegrid Palion Tow Tractor workflow is 3,000 feet round trip, running up to 30-40 times per day,” said Tony Barlett, Vice President of Business Operations at Sumitomo Drive Technologies. “Seegrid had us up and running in three days—fully trained and confident, our operators immediately identified more opportunities to leverage the technology.” “Seegrid combines proven technology with expert automation services to ensure our customers’ automation initiatives deliver ROI from day one,” said Jim Rock, Chief Executive Officer at Seegrid. “Sumitomo is well-positioned to safely and continuously optimize, adapt, and expand their use of mobile automation as their material handling requirements scale.” Seegrid’s entire fleet of intelligent AMRs navigates dynamic industrial environments using the company’s innovative autonomy technology, Seegrid IQ, which fuses data from cameras, LiDAR, and machine learning models with the company’s proprietary 3D computer vision system. Seegrid was recently awarded for its automation technology, being named the #4 most innovative robotics company in the world by Fast Company and receiving Frost & Sullivan’s Technology Innovation Leader Award. Sumitomo integrated Seegrid Palion Tow Tractor, named #1 in market share worldwide for automated tow tractors by Interact Analysis, an international market research authority for the supply chain automation industry, into their daily material handling workflows to increase productivity and reduce the cost of non-value-added activities. Seegrid’s automated industrial vehicle towing model safely, flexibly, and reliably automates the horizontal movement of multiple payloads up to 10,000 pounds. Sumitomo visually tracks and optimizes real-time Palion AMR material movement with Supervisor, Seegrid’s fleet management software solution.
Cimcorp and Murata Machinery USA bring Logistics and Automation Excellence to MODEX 2022
At Booth #B7632A/B, Cimcorp and Murata Machinery will showcase their end-to-end automation solutions designed to bring speed, efficiency, and peace of mind to warehouses and distribution centers Murata Machinery Group members, Cimcorp, a manufacturer and integrator of turnkey robotic order fulfillment and tire handling solutions, and Muratec, a world leader in high-speed, automated logistics & material handling, CNC turning & fabrication, clean factory automation, and textile machinery, announce they will be co-exhibiting at MODEX 2022, from March 28-31 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. At Booth #B7632A/B, Cimcorp and Muratec will showcase their comprehensive range of automation technologies—including robotic order picking systems, automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), and automated guided vehicles (AGVs)—through live demonstrations. As integrators of intralogistics solutions for food & beverage, grocery retail, medical, automotive, and various industries, both Muratec and Cimcorp help customers improve warehouse and distribution efficiency, sustainability, and profitability by customizing integrated systems designed to fit their needs and specifications. Booth visitors will also experience an innovative 3D model that will demonstrate how these systems integrate, showcasing end-to-end automation solutions that solve top warehousing and distribution challenges. Derek Rickard, Director of Sales, Cimcorp Automation Ltd., commented, “Fresh food distribution is a race against the clock, with consumer expectations rising around product freshness and fulfillment speed. It’s time to get ahead of the game with automation. Our solutions enable food distributors and grocery retailers to satisfy their customers with fast, fresh, and affordable products—and do so in a way that’s safe, stable, and sustainable.” At MODEX, Rickard will co-present an MHI-sponsored seminar with fellow MHI AS/RS Industry Group members, titled, “ASRS as a solution for e-commerce, online shopping demands, high transportation costs, supply chain issues, and product shortages”. This exclusive seminar will be held on March 29, in Theater H, from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM. Muratec will also showcase their CNC turning centers and a robust line of AGVS, including the recently added A-Series line-up to their existing Premex vehicles. The series adds seven standard-based models that are customizable for a wide range of load capacities, lift heights, navigation methods, temperature ratings, and software applications. “Our recent control in leading all North American operations in partnership with the AGVE Group allows us to further build on Murata Machinery Groups’ long track record of integrating automation and solving customer challenges,” said Scott Matlock, General Manager of Logistics and Automation Divisions, Murata Machinery USA. “I’m excited to introduce our AGVs to this year’s MODEX attendees. Common in Industry 4.0 settings, AGVs are a high-value, easy-to-implement first step in automation,” added Matlock. In addition, Muratec will host with the Institute of Grocery Distribution an “Automation Integration in Grocery Retail. Transforming Resilience, Productivity, and Value” seminar on March 29, in Theater D, from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM. Key takeaways will include understanding the key trends that will shape retail grocery supply chains, drivers, headwinds, enablers, and examples of those taking a lead. Also, learn how customized, fully integrated systems can increase the speed and accuracy of production and order fulfillment while evaluating ways to enhance process capabilities in storing, transporting, sorting, and picking goods, and evaluating ROI. Muratec and Cimcorp are co-hosting a Pints & Pawns appreciation reception on Tuesday 3/29 from 1-5p. The live demonstration will feature custom machine fabricated chess sets that will be given to customers who pre-book a meeting or RSVP for the reception. Cimcorp and Muratec experts will be available to discuss their unique warehousing needs, and share strategies to boost order speed and accuracy, overcome labor shortages, and integrate with existing systems. To learn more about Cimcorp and Muratec solutions, stop by the booth or pre-book a meeting with Cimcorp and/or Muratec, or RSVP for the reception to reserve your custom chess set while supplies last.
EP 259: StayLinked Evolve
On this episode, I was joined by the previous guest Justin Griffith of StayLinked. Justin is the CTO at StayLinked and he came on to discuss their new technology Evolve. We discuss the technology that StayLinked helps improve, their new product Evolve, and why ease of integration is so important for our industry. Key Takeaways StayLinked helps with terminal emulation when it comes to Telnet. In other words, they help to ensure that your handheld devices are working properly and can support your legacy systems. Justin gives some insight into just how long this technology has been around which leads to an interesting discussion on disruption in our industry. One thing that can scare operations is the thought of disrupting their shipments. Getting behind on shipments can be extremely costly so with the uncertainty of how integration will go there can be resistance. Recently StayLinked released their latest offering which is called Evolve. This product allows companies to easily integrate multiple systems together. A great example is that you can know how your handheld device communicates with a robot without any intensive programming or difficult system work. Definitely a huge step forward in allowing companies to bring new technologies into their operation and reduce the fear of disruption. Justin discusses how the main driver for creating this product was hearing how companies were struggling through integrations. With so many technologies entering our world there are many instances where communication between the technologies cannot happen or is incredibly difficult to make happen. This is where smaller businesses run into issues because they do not have the resources to make these communications happen. StayLinked Evolve now allows these companies to be able to do this with ease and within a few hours according to Justin. As the technology grows there will be multiple platforms that can communicate with each other and it will definitely open up the market for the operations world. Listen to the episode below and leave your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 259: StayLinked Evolve
Motion introduces Motion Automation Intelligence
MotionAi offers a tech-savvy, methodical approach to custom needs Motion Industries, Inc., a distributor of maintenance, repair, and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, has announced the formation of its automation business brand: Motion Automation Intelligence (MotionAi). The new brand is now represented by the logo: Comprising its highly specialized value-add engineering divisions—including AMMC, Axis, Braas, F&L, Integro, Kaman Automation and Numatic Engineering—MotionAi is a hi-tech automation solutions provider for industrial automation and emerging automation technologies with locations across the United States. Focused disciplines are robotics, motion control, machine vision, digital networking/IIoT, industrial framing, pneumatics, and custom mechatronic systems. Industries served include semiconductor, pharmaceutical, medical, logistics, automotive, and aerospace (along with many others) while applying the highest quality products and services with its engineered systems. “We approach each opportunity as consultants, then engineer the best solutions based on our customers’ unique needs,” said Aurelio Banda, Motion’s Group Vice President of Automation. “We partner closely with suppliers and customers on automation applications and product development projects to create a vital supplier-customer link. Our services range from the most simple to quite comprehensive, and there is a unique depth of talent in our group that succeeds across disciplines.” “The MotionAi team comprises the best of the best,” said Motion’s President, Randy Breaux. “Their top-level expertise provides each customer with the most effective solutions to meet business demands. Automation is the present and future, and we are excited to formally launch this new initiative and offer the latest innovations.”
SIERA.AI announces $6.8 Million Seed Funding round
Connected Industrial Mobility provider, SIERA.AI, announced the completion of a $6.8 million-dollar seed funding round. The funding round was supported by Parkway Venture Capital, a New York venture capital firm, and Ubiquity Ventures, a Silicon Valley seed-stage institutional venture capital firm. Ken’s Foods and NFI Industries are among the building material, food and logistics industries that are planning to scale with SIERA.AI’s technology offerings for vehicle compliance and safety. Flagship products include S3 Pedestrian Detection and S3 Slow to a Safe Stop. “Warehousing is the new retail,” said Suhas Ahuja, Co-Founder & COO of SIERA.AI. “SIERA.AI is positioned to lead the new eCommerce world with safety and automation that enables an organization to achieve sustainable growth.” SIERA.AI proactively foster’s a better workplace. “Our vision is to bring the power of one screen on the vehicle and one dashboard in the cloud for heavy industrial vehicles,” said Saurav Agarwal, Co-Founder and CEO of SIERA.AI. “We expect our platform will enable customers to connect their Warehouse Management and Manufacturing Execution Systems to our single mobility orchestration engine that will drive productivity across all types of manual and autonomous vehicles.”
PAC Machinery enters NEW top fulfillment Auto Bagger for an MHI, MODEX Show Innovation Award
PAC Machinery, a provider in packaging with one of the most diverse ranges of machinery, has entered the Rollbag® R3200 Fulfillment Automatic Bagger in the MHI Innovation Award competition in the “Best New Innovation” category. Winners will be selected at the 2022 MODEX show in Atlanta, GA at the World Congress Center held March 28-31, 2022. The R3200 Fulfillment Bagger was also just named one of PAC’s top-selling machines of 2021. The MHI Innovation Award serves to educate and provide valuable insights on the latest manufacturing and supply chain innovative products and services to MODEX attendees. The award is promoted on the MODEX website and is a great lead generator and booth traffic driver for exhibitors with NEW technologies. Modex states that 48% of attendees that visited the MHI Innovation Awards page, visit the finalist’s booth. PAC’s Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment Automatic Bagger will be packaging products LIVE in booth #C7291at MODEX. “The Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment Automatic Bagger is an exciting development that combines environmentally-sourced material, with automation, less material usage, and the shorter lead times that this industry demands,” said Greg Berguig, VP Sales & Marketing, PAC Machinery. Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment Increase efficiency and lower material costs with the Rollbag™ R3200 Fulfillment automatic bagger, an elite mail order fulfillment bagging system. This auto bagger works with poly tubing as well as bags on a roll. The R3200 Fulfillment can either be equipped with a label applicator that applies a direct thermal label onto the bag (no need for ribbon) or with a thermal transfer printer that prints directly on the bag using ribbon. The standard Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment works with bags up to 16 wide x 24 long and has a seal bar opening of up to 6”. The XL version for larger products, works with bags up to 22” wide x 36” long and features a seal bar opening of up to 11”. The Rollbag R3200 Fulfillment bagger is equipped with a label printer applicator, to create a fully integrated batch-less order fulfillment bagging solution. A thermal transfer printer option is also available, allowing you to print directly on the bag material. Innovation Statement This system is the first one on the market to use pre-opened bags on a roll as well as poly tubing in order to make a bag. The benefits of poly tubing include lower material costs as well as right-sizing of the bag to the product by changing bag length on the fly, lowering shipping costs, reducing material usage, and shorter material lead time. Be innovative and green when you package with improved sustainable materials for this machine by using our Recylene® poly mailer made from up to 90% recycled content (20% ocean-bound plastic, 20% consumer, and 50% Industrial possible). Applicability This bagger is ideal for e-commerce, order fulfillment, and distribution facilities that require the highest level of performance in their order fulfillment packaging operation. This automatic bagger will save you money, improve your branding and customer satisfaction with right-sized bags, and help you to be more flexible when packaging items of various sizes. An additional benefit includes using the latest in sustainable packaging materials, which is better for the environment and makes for a more satisfied consumer.
Choosing between variable speed drives and soft starters
Demand for industrial products has risen considerably over the past two decades — and with that, we’ve seen an increase in energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In fact, in 2020, the industrial sector accounted for 33 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. As pressure to minimize consumption mounts, how can industry reduce its environmental impact? Here, Claudia Jarrett, US country manager at obsolete equipment supplier, EU Automation, suggests two changes that can make a big difference — variable speed drives (VSDs) and soft starters. One of the highest areas of energy consumption for electric motors is the start-up cycle, as accelerating up to the necessary speed requires a lot of power. Soft starters and VSDs are great ways to reduce and manage energy usage during these periods, by reducing stresses on motors through optimizing start-ups and controlling speeds. Gaining improved efficiency doesn’t need to be complicated and can be done easily to automate parts of production, but which should you choose? Variable speed drives The adoption of more sophisticated control techniques has increased the requirement for better process control, which can be found in equipment like VSDs. A VSD is an automation device that controls the speed, torque output, or rotational force of motors, fans, and pumps, by matching their speed and torque to the requirements of the application. More specifically, VSDs vary the input current and frequency during the start and stop cycle, and while the machine is being powered. This is carried out by converting the frequency and voltage input power to adjustable frequency and voltage sources. In most cases, VSDs deliver considerable energy savings. For example, using a VSD to slow a fan or pump motor from 100 percent to 80 percent can save up to 50 percent of the energy used. Controlling the speed of a motor reduces energy usage during the highest energy-consuming points, the start-up cycle, which requires extreme acceleration to power it at full speed. VSDs not only help reduce consumption during start-up but also give manufacturers total control of engine speed in all phases of the motor, which reduces stress on the system, helping devices to last longer. Soft starters Soft starters provide control of a motor current to reduce inrush and limit shaft torque. As the name implies, soft starters are used only at startup and slowly let in increasing amounts of current, softly ramping up the speed of the drive and allowing for a gradual start. By gradually increasing the motor terminal voltage, soft starters produce a more regulated motor acceleration up to full speed. The steady approach to full power protects the motor from torque spikes and sudden tension and reduces motor heating, helping to extend equipment life. Some soft starters use solid state devices to help control the flow of current, whereas a reduced voltage soft starter helps protect the motor and connected equipment from damage by controlling the terminal voltage. This limits the initial inrush of electrical current and reduces the mechanical shock associated with motor start-up. In industrial plants, soft starters are often used in conveyor belts to steadily adjust torque to the necessary level. Without this control, sudden tensions could deteriorate the belt and cause it to snap due to mechanical stress. Application considerations While both VSDs and soft starters deliver greater process control, before taking the steps to upgrade a plant, it’s critical to assess the application, system requirements, and cost for the initial start-up and life cycle of the system. VSDs are significantly larger and therefore up to three times more expensive than soft starters. This initial cost must be considered, as well as maintenance and replacement costs. However, VSDs can provide energy savings of up to 50 percent, which can deliver a better return on investment (ROI). However, if constant acceleration and torque control are not necessary, and an application requires current limiting only during start-up, a soft starter may be a better solution. Now, let’s look at some specific applications for each. VSDs are ideal where complete speed control is optimal. As VSDs can reduce power when it is not required and increase it whenever it is needed, they are particularly beneficial in manufacturing scenarios where equipment is used for multiple processes. Take for instance a food processing facility that requires different cooking temperatures and fans that need continuously adjusting to monitor cooling. Soft starters are most beneficial where speed ramping and torque control are desired primarily when starting or stopping, such as conveyors, belt-driven systems, and gears. In addition, soft starters are also suited to piping systems that need to avoid pressure surges when fluid changes speed too quickly. Although these devices support a longer equipment life cycle, eventually they will need replacing — and fast. To ensure manufacturers reap the benefits of these devices, there must be a backup plan to prevent prolonged downtime and minimize waste and costs when a failure occurs. EU Automation sources and delivers obsolete automation parts, including VSDs and soft starters, to 15 countries in the APAC region. VSDs and soft starters are easy to integrate control solutions that can greatly improve process control while reducing energy consumption. For manufacturers seeking to change their processes, investing in these small upgrades can really make a big impact.
Quantron AG awarded a high ESG rating along and ranked “very sustainable”
Sustainability report: Quantron AG has an excellent ESG rating and is a very sustainable business Strong environmental management, high sustainability impact, and top marks earned in other criteria The renowned Asset Impact analysis institute has awarded Quantron AG the rating “very sustainable”. For this, the company was subjected to a comprehensive auditing process. Quantron AG was able to convince the judges in all categories including evaluation points such as Sustainability Impact, Transformation Capability, and Sustainable Developments Goals. In the heavyweight category “Sustainability ESG: Ecological, Social, Governance” QUANTRON’s strong environmental management, tasked with the aim of reducing emissions and material consumption, was considered to be particularly positive. The official conclusion of the evaluation is: “Quantron makes an important contribution to reaching the climate targets set by the European Green Deal and the Paris agreements. The company’s core business is focused on retrofitting and upgrading towards a green mobility transition. Moreover, the company is ambitious in minimizing environmental and social risks. In terms of ESG criteria, the company is partly solid and partly well-positioned.“
EP 243: Uncommon Keys from Softeon
On this episode, I was joined by Dan Gilmore who is the CMO at Softeon. Dan was previously on the podcast to talk about Softeon and its different capabilities. This time around we discuss a new white paper they released called “The 7 Uncommon Keys to WMS Success”. Key Takeaways Dan is quick to admit even though he is in the WMS business with Softeon, implementing these systems as well as others is never an easy undertaking due to the complexity and the amount of change that is taking place. In order to properly complete one of these projects, it is important to establish and follow certain guidelines so that everything goes smoothly. Knowing this from multiple projects, Softeon put together this white paper to help people understand some of the most uncommon keys that are often overlooked or not taken seriously enough. One of the keys that Dan shares are ensuring that you have the right team in place for your WMS project. I have seen this be an issue in the past and when the right stakeholders are not involved things get missed or uninformed decisions are made. As Dan points out, while senior-level individuals should be involved, it is incredibly important to involve those who are interacting with the system as well to give their input into how they see the system functioning based on their existing processes. Without this feedback, you can potentially make a very poor decision that would make a process worse instead of improving it. Another key that we spoke about was creating a reasonable and proper timeline for the project. While this seems like common sense, many times there is often not enough thought put into how long one specific action item or task will take. When planning the project you want to ensure that nothing gets rushed and that there is enough time allotted to properly test and set up the system. Dan points out that it is always good to build in a few extra weeks to the timeline because inevitably something will go off schedule and the pressure will be reduced to launch on the go-live date. Listen to the episode below and leave your project tips in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 243: Uncommon Keys from Softeon
Improving maintenance in manufacturing
The digital universe is doubling in size every two years, growing from 4.4 trillion gigabytes in 2013 to 44 trillion in 2020. Enterprises have responsibility for around 85 percent of the data held in this digital universe, according to the EMC Digital Universe with research and Analysis by IDC report. Manufacturing plants are just one type of enterprise contributing to this data production, by choosing to collect process data in order to monitor machinery status. Here, Claudia Jarret, US country manager at automation parts supplier EU Automation, explains how plant engineers can make the most of this data and ensure their maintenance schedule benefits their plant. Manufacturers, faced with the constant pressure to keep up with customer demand while remaining flexible, are acutely aware of the threat of plant downtime. Caused by a multitude of factors, including machine failure, downtime can cost manufacturers up to $260,000 per hour, according to research by analyst firm Aberdeen Research. Therefore, preventative maintenance, where equipment is maintained before it breaks, is essential, rather than reactive maintenance, which focuses on fixing equipment following a breakdown. But for those in high volume, low margin industries such as food and beverage or automotive parts manufacturing, preventative maintenance may be wrongly seen as unattainable, due to perceived high upfront costs. Prevention The days of waiting for a system to fail due to overheating motors or leaking heat transfer systems, for example, are thankfully behind us. Plant managers now plan regular inspections, upgrades, and troubleshooting to avoid breakdowns. These simple steps are one way in which preventative maintenance can be carried out. But as Industry 4.0 technologies such as condition monitoring become more accessible, there are even smarter, more accurate, and less time-consuming methods available. Many manufacturing plants now use predictive maintenance, a sophisticated form of preventative maintenance, to establish how well equipment is functioning and accurately predict failures before they occur. Not only does this reduce the risk of downtime-causing breakdowns, but it can also mean any necessary replacement parts can be ordered and are in stock in case of equipment failures. In addition, monitoring the health of equipment can allow for gradual tweaks, where a huge overhaul would previously have been required for improvements. Alterations can improve the efficiency of processes, ultimately reducing costs by eliminating inefficient elements and increasing equipment lifespan through maintenance or replacement of wearing parts. Where to start The first step a plant manager should take when implementing any preventative maintenance schedule is to gather as much data as possible. Crucially, this should include an accurate estimate of the real cost of downtime to the particular plant in question. Collating data collected by smart sensors, sales figures, and retrofitted systems should allow you to take into account loss of sales, wasted products,s and the cost of emergency repairs, which can provide a useful baseline figure. Using their experience of the plant, maintenance engineers should also be involved to produce an ideal plan for the plant, including areas they believe will require higher levels of maintenance, such as older equipment or machinery that is inherently prone to breakdowns such as motors, turbines, or other moving parts. This plan can then be used alongside the budget to produce a realistic maintenance plan, including what level of preventative maintenance can be employed. For some manufacturers, this will mean regular equipment checks, such as once a month for a section of the plant, or daily for more volatile machinery. Data If true predictive maintenance is chosen, data such as temperature, pressure, and vibration are collected by sensors and will be continually integrated, stored, and analyzed. The next question for manufacturers is how to make the most of these valuable, but large, data sets. Once the data has been collected, the next step to make the most of its potential is to begin analysis. One popular option for data analysis is a cloud analytics service. Here, raw data is transmitted to the cloud, where it can both be stored and analyzed for trends that can predict an event including a breakdown. Many services also incorporate an alert system and warnings of impending breakdowns can be sent via a web portal, app, e-mail, or text message to relevant personnel. Other manufacturers, perhaps concerned about cybersecurity, the long-term stability of data stored in the cloud, or the lag between data collection and analysis, will choose to undertake the analysis of raw data in-house. Although this is often significantly more resource-heavy, it does give plant managers complete control over their data. Obsolescence Regardless of which system is implemented, predictive maintenance can be used to manage obsolescence, in addition to reducing downtime and improving process efficiency. This means parts can be ordered at the correct time to suit the maintenance schedule. Traditionally, manufacturers would have to keep a stock of parts that may need replacing, which take up valuable space on the plant floor that can instead be used for operations. Spare parts can also be bulky and produce a health and safety hazard, including trip or fire hazards if stored on the plant floor. Instead, manufacturers can choose to order replacement parts only when necessary, maximizing the space and resources they have available to them. With suppliers such as EU Automation able to ship obsolescent parts worldwide within 24 hours, there is now no need to store parts on-site or to suffer extended periods of downtime waiting for them to arrive. Preventative maintenance is essential for manufacturers to reduce downtime and the vast amounts of data now being produced by plants can be effectively used for predictive maintenance. When predictive maintenance is employed, the data collected can also be used for other purposes, such as increasing process efficiency and ensuring replacement parts are ordered in plenty of time. Therefore, proper collection and analysis of this data are essential to maximizing its potential and this will only become more important each year as the quantity of data increases.
EP 236: ProGlove and the MARK Display
In this episode, I was joined by Ilhan Kolko of ProGlove. Ilhan is the Chief Product Officer and President of North America at ProGlove. I had the pleasure of catching up with him after playing around with my own demo MARK Display. We discussed the device, how ProGlove has found such success and what’s in store for the future. You can also read my thoughts on the ProGlove MARK Display below. Key Takeaways ProGlove is focused on helping workers take advantage of Industry 4.0 and utilize these technologies to empower them and make their lives easier. Their main product is the ProGlove scanner which comes in a few different variations and allows workers to be totally hands-free when it comes to scanning barcodes. The device itself is mounted into a hand sleeve that conforms to your hand and allows you to move freely. With this technology, you can truly be hands-free because there is no need to consistently reference a device or use a hand to pull a trigger on a scanner. The trigger itself is built right in the sleeve and is done by squeezing your thumb against your index finger. The product has developed in such a great way due to the focus on this being their core product and consistently striving for perfection. Initially, ProGlove was conceived by a group of engineers who wanted to eliminate efficiencies for workers who have to scan to complete their jobs. They took a human-focused approach and really pushed that forward into developing the ProGlove device which completely improves the human experience of scanning. The overall numbers are targeted to help reduce scanning times of 4 to 6 seconds which multiplied over several thousand scans a day is a huge saving. However, the time outside of the scan time is really the big savings that I see. If you look at the relationship a worker has with their device like an RF gun-style scanner there is a constant need to touch that device. Not only are they touching it and using it to scan but there are moments when they forget what location they should be at or they get distracted and now have to pick the device back up to reference. With the MARK Display version of ProGlove, everything they need is right there on their hand so they are eliminating all that other time that is consumed referencing the device as well as scanning. On the back end, there is also a robust software platform that can help you understand the analytics that the device is generating. Ilhan explains all of the different ways that this can be utilized. It is able to understand movements and even proximity to other workers. This data can then be translated into a BI system and utilized to understand the performance of scanning as well as other metrics. Additionally, the proximity alerts are helpful in understanding where you may have congestion or where you may have issues regarding social distancing. Not only will it alert management but it can also give a special alert to the worker right on the device itself. Listen to the episode below and then watch the video to see my experience with the ProGlove MARK Display. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 236: ProGlove and the MARK Display
Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) and Logitrans enter Strategic Collaboration to build Autonomous Pallet Jacks
New solutions will combine MiR’s autonomous mobile robot (AMR) navigation and software expertise with Logitrans’ decades of material handling knowledge to fill the gap in ground-to-ground pallet movement Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) market provider Mobile Industrial Robots A/S (MiR) and a major material handling equipment manufacturer, Logitrans A/S, have entered a strategic collaboration to build autonomous pallet jacks. Designed to fill a gap in the market for safely, efficiently, and autonomously lifting pallets directly from the ground, the autonomous pallet jack will combine MiR’s autonomous navigation and software capabilities with the functionality of electric pallet jacks developed by Logitrans over the last 80 years. The companies plan to develop a new range of autonomous pallet jacks that will supplement MiR’s current heavy-payload mobile robots, which can transport pallets and goods smoothly and safely among people and other transport equipment in dynamic surroundings. MiR’s existing robots can pick up pallets from specially designed pallet racks, and many MiR customers are requesting AMRs that can pick up and deliver pallets from the ground. The collaboration enables both MiR and Logitrans to meet customer demands while also creating many new business opportunities in an emerging market. “Our mission has always been to transform the way companies handle internal logistics so they can be more productive and competitive—and this new initiative is another giant step forward in doing so,” said Søren E. Nielsen, president of MiR. “Combining our software competencies with Logitrans’ decades of hardware knowledge will help us to quickly fill this gap so that we can support our customers throughout their entire value chain.” While MiR has identified a need among its customers, Logitrans also sees an increased demand to automate existing pallet moving processes. “We know that the material handling industry is moving towards automation,” said Gitte Kirkegaard, CEO of Logitrans. “It is part of our identity to always be in front regarding product development within our business range. Being able to automate our products will help us maintain our leading position. We do not have the in-house capabilities for this type of product, so the collaboration with MiR is a great match for us.” New Solution Expands AMR and Pallet Jack Capabilities to Cover Most Intralogistics Needs MiR and Logitrans plan to make a fully automated and semi-automated autonomous pallet jack to fulfill different needs in the logistics processes. The long-term and strategic initiative of establishing new business areas and products for both MiR and Logitrans leverage the high-quality hardware equipment of Logitrans and the same advanced navigation technology and sophisticated fleet software as MiR’s traditional AMRs. “When these AMR pallet jacks come to market, companies can rely on MiR as a solution provider for most of their intralogistics needs,” Nielsen added. “Collaborating with Logitrans will help us meet the increasing demands for these offerings even sooner, which in turn will help our customers reach their business goals.” “With the joint competencies of MiR’s excellence in robots and Logitrans’ comprehensive product portfolio and ability to customize, we envision a future where customers can get the exact AMR solution of their needs,” Kirkegaard said.
Swisslog automation helps Master Electronics champion growth by maximizing capacity and productivity
Swisslog, a provider of best-in-class warehouse automation and software, has announced that Master Electronics, a global authorized distributor of electronic components, will deploy Swisslog automation to help modernize and streamline fulfillment in its existing warehouse to meet growing demand. Configured by Swisslog’s automated fulfillment experts, the system brings together AutoStore and picking stations, optimized by Swisslog’s SynQ software. Its bins are electrostatic discharge (ESD) compliant to protect the Master’s sensitive inventory from static electric discharge. Swisslog worked closely with the electronics distributor to adapt the system to the parameters of the existing building to ensure it delivered increased storage capacity and higher throughput. The modular technology is being implemented through an approach that will minimize disruption to operations, to help ensure fulfillment capabilities are maintained during installation. “Swisslog’s expertise and vast experience in the automation space has been indispensable. Our position in the industry is unique and they have been able to create a completely custom solution that leverages our strengths while overcoming obstacles,” said Gerone Blomgren, vice president of global logistics and distribution, Master Electronics. “Along with providing an automation system that will enable continued growth while meeting increasing customer demand without the challenge and disruption of building a new facility, Swisslog is helping us create a more engaging environment for our distribution center associates.” “Our Swisslog automation experts are excited to work with Master Electronics to help them modernize and future-proof their operations while extending the capacity and life of their existing facility,” said Colman Roche, vice president of e-commerce and retail, Swisslog Americas. “With the growth in e-commerce, many warehouses that were never designed for carton handling or smaller order size picking are being required to support those functions. We continually work with companies like Master Electronics to configure and install automation solutions that can help transform existing warehouse space to maximize storage capacity and keep products moving.” Swisslog recently released a new white paper (“Implementing Warehouse Automation in Brownfield Sites”) that explains how certain automation systems can increase storage capacity and throughput of existing warehousing and distribution facilities.
Tecsys’ multi-channel retailers outperform their single channel retailers by 40x over Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend
Pivotal weekend proves to be the largest on record ever for Tecsys retailers, with key data revealing that brands operating omnichannel fulfillment far outperform single-channel retailers Tecsys Inc., a supply chain management and omnichannel commerce software company, has provided global performance metrics for the four-day 2021 Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend. Despite the softening of the BFCM weekend spike, retailers fulfilling orders with Tecsys’ omnichannel order management platform outperformed last year across two key measures: year-over-year order volume increased by 21%, and order revenue increased year-over-year by 32%. Performance across Tecsys retailers over the BFCM weekend underscores the critical role of omnichannel digital commerce, with 98% of revenue coming from retailers operating more than a single fulfillment channel. Those multi-channel retailers averaged nearly 102,000 orders per brand, far exceeding the 2,400 orders per brand averaged by single-channel retailers, representing a 40x volume of orders for those retailers. “Retail continues to be fluid, but carries with it one constant; the digitally empowered consumer,” says Guy Courtin, vice president and industry principal for Retail at Tecsys. “This consumer expects more from her relationship with retailers and brands. What COVID has highlighted is that retailers that are unable to leverage their entire fulfillment network to meet her needs are at a competitive disadvantage.” Within that omnichannel matrix are sharp demand spikes and cyclical transaction volatility that require system functionality to manage peak order ingestion without disruption. As noted by gaming giant Ubisoft’s worldwide IT director, “Our players expect nothing less than a completely smooth and easy buyer journey. It is paramount to ensure retail transactions are processed accurately and quickly, not to mention invisibly to the buyer, so that their user experience is both positive and authentic to the Ubisoft brand.” “Operational agility and resiliency have become the cornerstones of success for every retailer, supply chain organization, and enabling software company,” adds Courtin. “Over the course of the weekend, Tecsys and its retailers set a series of new records, from peak order processing to order ingestion volume, proving that a platform that scales and adapts to a shifting retail ecosystem is a crucial tool for retailers to succeed in the current landscape.” Black Friday/Cyber Monday by the Numbers Globally, the average BFCM basket was $95 CAD. Canadian consumers spent the most per order at $202 CAD, ahead of S. consumers at $124 CAD per order, and U.K. consumers at $106 CAD per order. Europe ($100 CAD), the Middle East, and New Zealand (both $94 CAD) round out the highest average shopping carts globally. Footwear and Apparel and Health and Beauty represent the two retail categories with the greatest volume of orders and highest total revenue; however, they hold the second and fourth position for average order value at $186 CAD and $122 CAD respectively; edging them out is the Sporting Goods and Outdoor Equipment retail category, posting an average shopping cart value of $213 CAD, with Home and Garden climbing up slightly from last year to $146 CAD. Multinational retailers averaged $31 million CAD each in revenue over the weekend, represented by an average of 286,000 orders each over the same period; this is compared with an average $8.5 million CAD each across all retailers. Overall, Tecsys customers saw a 32% increase in year-over-year revenue per brand on the Tecsys platform. Peak order volume was reached on Friday, November 26 at 5 PM UTC. This peak represented a modest 4% increase over last year’s peak order volume. The most popular time to shop over BFCM weekend was 4 PM UTC. Courtin continues, “While we see several similarities in order volumes year over year, consumers are tending to spend more per order in the Home and Garden category on average as compared to last year; this trend could be attributed to consumers rebounding from supply chain issues in the lumber industry. Meanwhile, similar to last year, we are seeing relatively large basket sizes in the Sporting Goods and Outdoor Equipment category, which may be a sign that consumers are more willing to purchase big-ticket items online that have historically been purchased in-store, perhaps reflecting the increasing ease of the omnichannel experience, including faster fulfillment and more frictionless returns.”